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Subject:Re: The Myth of Seven, Plus or Minus Two From:Goober Writer <gooberwriter -at- yahoo -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Wed, 3 Dec 2003 07:03:55 -0800 (PST)
> I'm a supporter of the Miller principle across many
> areas of
> information design, and I wanted to point out that
> to me, the cited
> article was not persuasive.
"He wasn't studying how many items humans can
perceive, which he admits can be thousands. Web site
navigation, however, is generally not concerned with
short-term memory. Visitors are rarely required to
memorize items in a menu. In fact, many site
navigations are presented on all pages at all times
for continuous reference. Immediate memory doesn't
play a significant role."
> I believe studies were done in the eighties to find
> the optimal balance
> between depth (how many forms deep?) and breadth
> (how many items per
> form?) in menu structures; I believe Miller's work
> was validated then.
> It would be interesting to see some contemporary
> studies with Web pages
> and links on pages.
For more information on studies, see my sig. ;)
=====
Goober Writer
(because life is too short to be inept)
"As soon as you hear the phrase "studies show",
immediately put a hand on your wallet and cover your groin."
-- Geoff Hart
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